How Companies Waste Money on Global Social Media
By Mark Burns | Social Media | No comment yet
People often think that I am against social media as a marketing solution and to a point, they might be right. It’s not to say I don’t believe in it but I believe a lot of marketing budget is wasted in it. So many companies plough thousands of pounds into social media and to what end?
If we then look at this on a global scale, how much money is being pumped in by one company across a variety of individual markets? Millions and often in the wrong places!
Here are my top 5 ways that companies waste money on international social media
New Weibo = Facebook Meets Google+ Meets Twitter (with a 300 Million Fan Base)
By Mark Burns | Social Media | One comment so far
We’ve found a sneak preview of Weibo’s new update and it shows a social media platform that combines Facebook, Twitter and Google+. This latest Weibo re-design, due for release in October, could be what users have been crying out for … one platform that does it all!
So how does it work and is it going to change the world?
Pinterest breaking into China (sort of)
By Mark Burns | Social Media | One comment so far
Pinterest’s incredible rise through US social media ranks highlights the power of imagery sharing online. This has not gone unnoticed in the rest of the world! China’s social media scene has changed as a reflection to Pinterest with the launch of multiple ‘copycat’ platforms. Let’s review them!
Where Facebook Stumbles…
By Mark Burns | Social Media | One comment so far
“They don’t have roads in Bosnia but they have Facebook” is the slightly condescending line from the hit film The Social Network. But in a world that is forever becoming Facebook’s, how far are they from world domination… socially at least?
Social Media in Brazil
By Mark Burns | Social Media | One comment so far
Brazil is one of the most rapidly growing internet markets in the world. Its vast population and internet expansion rate over the past 6 years have resulted in Portuguese becoming a top 5 online language and Brazilian internet users moving above established high internet usage countries such as the UK (in 2005) and Germany (in 2007).
Email Marketing, Group Buying, and Social Media in China
By Suttida Yang | Global Marketing, Social Media | No comment yet
With over 400 million Internet users, China isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon. As global online marketers continue to tap into the Chinese market, the importance in understanding how to leverage Baidu, Weibo, RenRen, NetEase, Tencent QQ and Sohu are key. Yes, China has a large market for doing business, but it’s also not the easiest to get started in (and that often goes without saying). More specifically, the growth of e-mail marketing tied in with group purchasing and social media has become more and more popular.
Is There A Difference Between The Facebook Messenger and Facebook App?
By Suttida Yang | Social Media | One comment so far
Okay, so I don’t really understand what all of the hype is about with Facebook Messenger. After I downloaded the app on my iPhone and tried it out, the first thought that came to mind was, “How is this any different from having the actual Facebook app and accessing my ‘messages’?”
In my opinion, there isn’t.
Let’s take a look at Facebook Messenger versus just sending messages through the Facebook App.
Social Media Usability – The Mum Test
By Mark Burns | Social Media | No comment yet
The ultimate test of a social media network is not is flashy desktop, it’s not its impressive logo or the ability to add words to the Oxford English Dictionary; the ultimate test is usability! And not by me (a fairly social media savvy guy) but the general population. Can the average person on the street sign up, engage and like the social platform.
Well, I’ve found that person!This is…………….. “The Mum Test”.
I’ll be testing 3 popular social media sites to see which ones my mum (the ultimate non-tech person) can sign up to, engage with and enjoy being part of.
First up is Facebook. Now my mother has heard of this platform (although she does refer to it as “facebooks”) and was keen to have a go.
Microsoft Ready to Fight in the Social Battlefield?
By Suttida Yang | Social Media | 2 responses so far
Recently, Microsoft’s socl.com site was spotted live on the web. Matt McGee from Search Engine Land displayed this image of Microsoft’s new social/search hybrid project:
Facebook Brings Awesome Back…
By Suttida Yang | Social Media | One comment so far
Yesterday Facebook made their “awesome” announcement regarding three new features: video calling, new chat layout and multi-people chatting. The focuses for the features are to enhance user engagement and usability.
It’s like you’re face to face (but not really)
The first feature enables users to video chat (done through Skype partnership). Users can call any of their friends for free. Let me just say that again…for free. So, as long as the calls are made inside Facebook, users can now take message chatting up a notch. I’d say this is perfect timing with all of recent hype and buzz going around Google+’s “hangouts”. And for all of the eager people out there who are ready to start using this new feature, you can. Check it out here.
